Implement used in the manufacture of cigars, cheroots, &amp;c.



Il Nrrnn STATES;

PATENT @FFICE.

CHARLES MILLHISER, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IMPLEMENT USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARS, CHEROOTS, &c.

SPECIFICATION forming art of Letters Patent No. 714,728, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed March 20, 1902. Serial No. 99,220. (No model.)

To all whom it flea/y concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES MILLHISER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond,in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Implements Used in the Manufacture of Cigars, Cheroots, &c., of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

My invention is designed for use in the manufacture of cigars, cheroots, stogies, little cigars, all-tobacco cigarettes, &c., and to accomplish by inexperienced operators in a simple, expeditious, and inexpensive manner better results than can be obtained by the employment of costly machinery, thus avoidingrthe necessity of skilled labor and saving factory space. i By the use of my improved implement the work of inexperienced hands is greatly facilitated, resulting in increased output, and unskilled labor may do the work heretofore done by skilled operatives, either with or without the use of machinery.

My invention more particularly relates to a portable form or shape which is used in connection with a knife and acts as a guide for cutting the blanks, wrappers, or binders, so that a clean, quick, smooth, and accurate cutting is eifected and uniform size and shape secured with the least waste of material, the said portable form being adapted to the cutting of single leaves of tobacco or quantities of leaf in bulk. Preferably the portable form is used with a rotary circular knife, although it may be employed with a knife of other character.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention as adapted to the cutting of a wrapper or hinder of a given shape. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the longitudinal center of the implement. Fig. 3 shows a modification. Fig. 4c is a perspective view of a circular rotary knife preferably used in connection with my improved portable form.

1 represents the main body of the implement, which. consists of a mass of metal or other materialhaving the requisite weight and at its base is of the shape of the wrapperor binder to be out. It is necessary that the body 1 shall have a considerable weight for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. Fig. 2 shows that the sides of the body are inclined upwardly and inwardly and that the rounded ends are similarly inclined. As shown in Fig. 1, the body is provided with a curved handle 2, which may be secured thereto by screws, as shown, or by other means. The handle may, if desired, be solid or integral with the body. Its shape isimmaterial, and in Fig. 3 a modified form thereof is seen.

In the practical use of my invention the portable form or body 1 of the required weight, size, and shape is firmly placedupon theleaves of tobacco from which the blanks are to be made in such position as to admit of the cleanest and most economical cut, it being used both as a form or guide for directing the course of the knife and as a weight for pressing down and flattening out the leaves, so as to prevent displacement thereof and to facilitate the cutting operation. It will be understood that not only is the weight of the body itself useful to this end, but that the operator will press down upon the handle. It has been found, however, that Without a considerable amount of inherent weight in the body itself the implement cannot be made effective. The form having been firmly placed upon the series or layers of leaves, a knife, preferably that shown in Fig. 4, is taken by the operator in the other hand and quickly run around the base of the form, the blank or blanks being thereby cleanly and quickly out. In order that the circular blade of the knife may be quickly and conveniently run around the base of the form,

the sides and rounded ends of the latter are cutting through numerous layers of tobacco it becomes advisable to slightly ease up the blade, and the acute angle formed at the base of the body or form readily permits of this.

As the shape and size of the form are exactly that needed, the wrappers are necessarily cut uniformly and regularly.

One of the most'important advantages derived from the use of my invention is that the portable form may be adjusted to any shape or size of leaf, so as to obtain the most serviceable cut and prevent the waste of tobacco. Such results cannot be effected by the use of dies heretofore employed. Furthermore, the portability of my invention permits its adjustment to tobacco inaccordance with the veins, which is a consideration that will be readily appreciated by cigarmanufacturers, and as the operator may readily and quickly adjust the implement to suit all circumstances and conditions of the leaf he can not only cut to the best advantage, and thus prevent waste, but can see just what he is doing and out closely to the fine edge of the leaf, thus greatly economizing the consumption of tobacco.

I preferably use a knife of the character shown in Fig. 4; but it is obvious that an ordinary fixed-bladed knife may be employed.

My invention is simple and inexpensive, may be used by inexperienced, unskilled, and low-priced labor, and requires no particular attention from the foreman beyond the necessary supervision needed in all factories. It has been found that considering the facility and rapidity with which the implement may be used an inexperienced operator can turn out more work by its use than can be produced by high-priced machinery of approved form requiring skilled labor. The nice adjustment ofdies, rollers, &c., necessary in the use of such machines consumes considerable time, which, together with the waste due to the fact that the operator cannot at all times place the tobacco for the cut in the most economical manner, renders the use of my hand implement by comparison useful and valuable.

It is to be understood that the shape of the body or form at its base or operative edge will be varied to suit the character of work to be done, and while its sides are generally inclined, as shown and described, I do not wish to confine myself to such form, as use ful results, though not to the fullest extent, may be accomplished by the use of vertical sides.

By the use of my device but little stretch I is not torn.

Having thus described my invention,-I claim- 1. A portable implement for the purpose herein described, adapted to be used as a guide for a cutting-knife, consisting of a weighted and handled body having its base of the shape of the blank to be cut, and' its sides upwardly and inwardly inclined, substantially as set forth.

2. A portable implement for the purpose herein described, adapted to be used as a guide for a cutting-knife, consisting of a weighted and handled body having its base of the shape of the blank to be out, and its sides and ends upwardly and inwardly inclined, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.

CHARLES MILLHISER. [L. 8.]

Witnesses:

GEORGE I-I. HOWARD, EDWIN S. GLARKsoN. 

